Aruëlian Destrier

The Aruëlian Destrier, sometimes also referred to as Pure Aruëlian Horse, is a horse breed originating from the lands south of the Morin and it is the premier war horse used by the Aruëlian Knight. The breed is strictly protected by the breeders that operate out of Semilia.

Characteristics

The King leaves the Capital by Ninodonlord (via Midjourney)

Aurëlians by definition are required to have a height of 160 cm at the wither for stallions and 155 cm for mares, otherwise they cannot be registered into the official bloodlines of the breed. The males weigh an average of 500 kg while the females are considerably lighter at only 410 kg on average. The horses are bred for strength primarly, needing to carry their rider in armor, as well as their own protection without sacrificing speed.
In general, grey and white coat is most common, and black is rare, almost always indicating a direct line to the most prestigious bloodline within the Aruëlian pool of breeds. The chests are wide and the necks are broad, with thick manes and tails. Overall, the breed stands out among others for an intelligent, yet brave spirit, quick to pick up training and cooperative, which are all traits prized highly in war horses.

History

While horses have been present in the area throughout most of Norian history as attested by Orcish song, they were mainly used for transportation and as draft horses, where strong builds were already favored. With the emergence of the modern tribes and local courts in the centuries prior to the founding of Tennet and Aruël as a whole.
Then when Ruy Terána, who would later wear the crown of Aruel, first assembled his allies, they found themselves in need of good horses. They stopped in the plains near Semilia, where they bought new horses. These very animals would later carry them to victory after victory, until the entire lands south of the Morin were conquered. Aruël quite literally was built upon these horses, which is why the crest of the house of Terána and many of the noble houses that were born in the kingdom afterwards, show Aruëlian Destriers as their animal.

Bloodlines

While colloquially any horse from the southern plains is called an Aruëlian, legally, the only horses that can be called as such, are the ones with official pedigree, which is documented via the extensive bloodlines recorded in Semilia. The most sought after and valuable breeds are descended from the horses owned by Ruy I and his closest supporters:

• The two branches of Teránian: Ruy I famously rode two horses during his conquest. Both of them fully black, which was deemed a fell sign and bad luck prior to his successes. The two stallions each fathered a bloodline from which most likely all modern black-coated Aruëlians are descended. The two breeders in charge of the Teránian horses have an intense rivalry, which both sides foster as the competition creates demand for more horses. Teránians are the most expensive Aruëlian breed, supplying high nobles and the crown with horses to this very day.
• Morinsteppers: are the most common breed and usually come with greyish or white coats. These horses descend from a total of the six horses from Ruys guards that survived the crossing of Morin under the fire of enemy troops. They are prized for their fearlessness and strong legs.
• Deimian: Deimian horses much like their twinned horse breed the Phobian horses descend from the horse that belonged to Lord Deimos who with his brother Phobos was the first noble lord not related to Ruy to pledge himself to the cause.

• Trinidans: These chestnut Aruëlians are exclusively used by the clergy, because they descend from the single horse St. Elian rode throughout the journey of Ruy northward. The horses are considered sacred by some and are said to be the most loyal horses in all of Noria. According to legend, Elian slept in the wild for seven weeks during travel to earn his horses trust. Dedicated riding clergy still follow this custom today.
• Uranian: These horses descend from the mare that Ruys mother rode when accompanying her son on rides. They are famed for their gentle spirit and often used for less experienced riders.
• The three heroes line: This specific subbranch of the line of Terána fames itself for having three separate horses that carried heroes. The progenitor of the line was the horse of Ruy II, the grandson of Ruy I who conquered the lands surrounding the Morin. A later horse from the same line belonged to Felipe I, who repelled the last orc horde from Thairono and a third saved Firea, eldest daughter of Oron the Wise. All three horses were praised for their speed and endurance for without them non of their riders would have escaped peril and gone on to succeed in their tasks.
• Phobian: Phobian (and Deimian) horses are prized for their exceptional size. Even for Aruëlians they tower over the competition and a hoof by one of them is a surefire way to end up in the grave.

Entry for Worldbuilding Summer Camp 2023

Answering: "an animal associated with, or symbolizing, power"

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